Bishop Manogue is the top dog in the Northern 4A, but there seems to be improvement around the Sierra League and it could be a battle for a top playoff seed.

Damonte Ranch, which won the Region title in 2016, has to replace Cade McNamara, one of the top players in Nevada football history, but Ethan Kulpin is ready to step in there at quarterback and he was the backup QB last season. Galena has much more experience than it did last season and a new coach in Aaron Cook.

Colby Crisp gets ready for the next play during practice on August 12, 2019.

Colby Crisp gets ready for the next play during practice on August 12, 2019.

Andy Barron/RGJ

Carson and Douglas are also in good shape to build on last season and Wooster has had one or more Sellers coaching across all levels for the past three seasons, setting the stage to see if that heritage pays off this year.

Wooster plays at Reed on Friday, Douglas is at Sonoma Valley, Carson is at Lower Lake, Galena, Damonte and Manogue start their seasons on Aug. 30.

BISHOP MANOGUE

The Miners started off slow last season, going 3-3, then reeled off eight straight wins until the state championship loss to Bishop Gorman.

Drew Scolari is back at quarterback for the Miners.

"That game, it was a wake-up call and everyybody started buying in more, on what we needed to do as a program," Scolari said of that loss at Damonte.

Coach Ernie Howren lost some key players from that team, but he has built the top football programs in the North for the past 20 years, winning eight Region championship (seven at Reed).

Howren likes being the team others will be gunning for.

If you want to get far, you have to be willing to put in the line," he said.

Manogue opens Sierra League play against Damonte on Oct. 4 at Manogue.

Roman says of expectations: "After last year we are taking it game by game, rebuilding the program. We are focused on developing commitment, good attitudes, and confidence. We have no expectations other than competing as best we can in our first game and go from there."

Carson's Gilbert Polanco and Bradley Maffei.

Carson's Gilbert Polanco and Bradley Maffei.

Jim Krajewski

DAMONTE RANCH

The Mustangs have become one of the dominant programs in Northern Nevada over the past several years. Coach Shawn Dupris has 34 players on the varsity, but numbers were similarly low last season too, and the Mustangs advanced to the Regional championship game.

The Mustangs lost some top players to graduation including Cade McNamara, now at Michigan, and Derek Knoblock, now at Nevada.

"We've got guys stepping who are very capable of stepping in," Dupris said.

The Damonte Ranch football team at practice on Aug. 13.

The Damonte Ranch football team at practice on Aug. 13.

Jim Krajewski

Ashton Hayes rushed for 569 yards and four scores as freshman last season and he is back as is junior Carson Smith, who plays both ways, at running back and linebacker.

Ethan Kulpin, junior, and Weston Smith, freshman are vying for the quarterback position.

Dupris has built the program up and a strong youth football program keeps the Mustangs near the top.

"We try make them realize that expectations are high and that good programs, they don't rebuild, they just plug people in," Dupris said.

Monfilleto says of expectations: "Very excited about two areas: 1. Our seniors must lead, they have experience and as they perform, our team will reflect that leadership. 2. Lots of youth, projecting 3-4 sophomores will compete for starting jobs, and our junior class is solid. Experience at TB with Trevor Kruger will be a key, 6 TDs, 750 yards rushing in seven games. Both starting wide receivers return, Geilenfeldt and Swain.

GALENA

First-yoach Aaron Cook has about 30 players on the varsity and he listed the entire team as being key players this season. Galena only had six seniors last season.

Cook was an assistant at Damonte last year.

"I didn't know what to expect but the older guys have really bought in," Cook said of the Grizzlies players.

He said Alex Laird is solid at quarterback and he will have running back by committee

Galena senior quarterback Alex Laird

Galena senior quarterback Alex Laird

Jim Krajewski

Laird said being on his third coach in three seasons is unusual, but he adapted quickly.

"Learning the new playbook was hard, but with a lot of time and effort you get it down and work hard," Laird said.

Cook says of expectations: "Learn how to compete at a high level, and ultimately compete for a playoff spot."

Galena senior Bobby Hartley Brown

Galena senior Bobby Hartley Brown

Jim Krajewski

WOOSTER

Wooster coach Bo Sellers enters his fourth season at the school. His brother Joe Mac Sellers joins him this year, although he has not been able to help as much he would like and his father, Joe Sellers is also helping, although he is recovering from a leg injury.

Bo Sellers said he brought back one of the school periods just for football players to train and learn. He said that class has made a huge difference and that the averages are way up for weightlifting numbers.

Wooster junior jamel Wright

Wooster junior jamel Wright

Jim Krajewski

He has 28 seniors, 15 juniors and 44 players on the varsity.

"We learned a lot last year. We learned as group where were," Bo Sellers said.

He said weight training and conditioning were a focus over the offseason, adding that the Colts fell flat in the second halves of games last year.

He said having the football players participate in other sports was also a priority.

Sellers said the youth football program in Southeast Reno is also growing, and is more than double what it has been in participation numbers.